(the descriptions of various countries is based on their government system
in early 2002; some of these have definitely changed since then)

Descriptions of governments can be based on:

Economy - what provides the goods and services that are bought, sold, and
used?

Capitalism

(Russia)

Socialism

(Norway)

Communism

(Cuba)

In a capitalist or free-market economy,
people own their own businesses and property and must buy services
for private use, such as healthcare.

Socialist governments own many of the
larger industries and provide education, health and welfare services while
allowing citizens some economic choices

In a communist country, the government
owns all businesses and farms and provides its people's healthcare, education
and welfare.

Politics - how is the government run?

Dictatorship

(Iraq)

Totalitarian

(China)

Theocracy

(Iran)

Monarchy

(Jordan)

Parliamentary

(Israel)

Republic

(USA)

Anarchy

(Afghanistan?)

Rule by a single leader who has not been
elected and may use force to keep control. In a military dictatorship,
the army is in control. Usually, there is little or no attention to public
opinion or individual rights.

Rule by a single political party. People are forced to do what the government
tells them and may also be prevented from leaving the country.

A form of government where the rulers
claim to be ruling on behalf of a set of religious ideas, or as direct
agents of a deity.

A monarchy has a king or queen, who sometimes
has absolute power. Power is passed along through the family

A parliamentary system is led by representatives
of the people. Each is chosen as a member of a political party and remains
in power as long as his/her party does

A republic is led by representatives of
the voters. Each is individually chosen for a set period of time.

Anarchy is a situation where there is
no government. This can happen after a civil war in a
country, when a government has been destroyed and rival groups are fighting
to take its place.

Authority - who picks the government?

Revolutionary

(USA, France, USSR etc)

Totalitarian

(North Korea)

Oligarchy/Plutocracy

(Pakistan)

Democracy

(India)

The existing structure is overthrown by
a completely new group. The new group can be very small - such as the military
- or very large - as in a popular revolution. After a period of time, this
'becomes' one of the other type of government (unless there is another
coup or uprising).

Rule by a single political party. Votes for alternative candidates and parties
are simply not allowed. Citizens are allowed and 'encouraged' to vote,
but only for the government's chosen candidates.

A form of government which consists of
rule by an elite group who rule in their own interests, especially the
accumulation of wealth and privilege. Only certain members of society have
a valid voice in the government. This can reflect (but is not limited to)
economic interests, a particular religious tradition (theocracy), or familial
rule (monarchy).

In a democracy, the government is elected
by the people. Everyone who is eligible to vote - which is a majority of
the population - has a chance to have their say over who runs the country.

REMEMBER: nearly every country in the world is ruled by a system that combines
2 or more of these (for example, the USA is not a true capitalist society,
since the government actually provides some services for its citizens).
Additionally, one person's opinion of the type of government may differ
from another's (many argue that the USA is actually a plutocracy rather
than a democracy).